I went to my NEW regular doc today. I believe I will just stay with him from now on. My appointment was to talk about my IBS type symptoms. and I wanted to see about getting a celiac panel done. He said yep that sound like a good idea and here are some probitics that I have had good luck with for others with your symptoms... WOW I about cried, it felt great to have him listen and address my concerns. It's been a long road finding a doctor that would do that. And after telling him of my experience with the endo he said, I'm sorry for that would you like me to schedule an ultrasound for you? yes please

So on the whole feeling much better about my journey. Thanks for the support.

Ya, I think you hit the nail on the head... about the only thing you learned was not to go back. Yeesh.

Did you ask him for an ultrasound of your neck? If you want to get labwork done, I've used Healthcheckusa.com before.

One thing he did say that is true, most people with thyroid dysfunction have elevated antibody titers. That's generally why docs don't bother to run those labs. Personally, I think its good to know if you are the exception to the rule.

Okay, onto plan B. Next time you schedule an appointment with a new doc, ask them two things upfront:

1. Do you prescribe Armour or one of the other porcines, like Westhroid or Nature-thyroid?

2. My throat is swollen, I have trouble swallowing, never had an ultrasound and would like one to put my mind at rest. Can you prescribe that for me?

If they answer "No" to either question, that endo/doc is not for you. Move on to the next doc on the list.

hmm update ...... I got in to see the endo fairly quickly. Now I know why, it only took a few weeks cause he is awful. First off he says your on armour hmmmm well I don't like that we will prolly have to change that. Second, he says your weight is the real issue (I'm thinking no DUH) you have to watch what you eat AND drink no pop or juice. I replied it's not that I quit drinking pop 3 years ago and all I got was a headache. To which he replied well you know tea has more sugar than pop anyway. ( WHAT?? yeah my thought to) He then says you need to be on an 1800 cal diet and no sweets. Even though he nor his nurse ever asked me about my diet. I would have happily printed and brought my log for here. /sigh I asked to have the antibody test, he says you don't need them if your not graves your hashi's no in between..... I asked about my throat which has felt swollen and too full for several weeks now and off and on again for years. he says do you smoke? I proudly reply Nope not for a year. he says well smoking causes stuff like that and it is prolly that and you never realized before ...WHAT ? I asked about my fatigue ( I find it difficult to stay awake more than 4 hours at a time and have to have naps( good thing my job is seasonal and it's the off season) he says oh thyroid doesn't cause fatigue you prolly have sleep apnea or something similar. Needless to say I was so mad I could barely see straight. Sorry for the rant So I guess I learned nothing form the endo...... except that he knows nothing about thyroid and is tunneled visioned to Diabetes.

Mary, I haven't lost any weight. :( I have about 4 lbs of water? I bounce around Before and after TOM.

Mizz, I haven't been tested for antibodies at all I asked about it and was told I needed to be referred to an endo as they are special tests. I am making an app to see the endo on Monday.

For about the last month or so I have felt even worse than normal,( After the birth of my youngest child 7 years ago MY definition of normal has changed drastically it took me this long to find a doc who would even do a TSH test) any kind of exertion leaves me very weak feeling. My daily walks have become a chore :( I find my self sleeping 10-12 hours a day, and the MentalPause is getting really bad. Thank goodness for DH.

"my basic philosophy is that as long as I'm feeling good and functioning, at a healthy weight who cares what my numbers are? "

Hey, if you can't get your doc to prescribe you less meddie, just get a pill splitter or a razor blade and shave off a silver. Its annoying, butcha gotta do what ya gotta do. Another tactic is to take your calcium closer to your meddie than you currently are. This will bind your levothyroxine so that less of it will get into your system.

The problem with all of these work arounds, is that the effects are random. If you need a 88mcg dose, find a doc who will perscribe it.

Its time to start looking for a new doc if he/she won't listen to how you are feeling. Some docs forget that you wouldn't be coming to them, if you felt good without there ministrations!

I assume you have been tested for TPO and Thyroglobulin (TgAB) antibodies, do you know what those numbers are? Lots of times TSH will bounce around because of fluxuating antibody titers. Manytimes peeps with your problem have anitbody levels in the thousand range.

Also, have you been tested for TSI antibodies? Do you know what your number is there? TSI antibodies are generally associated with hyPERthyroid disease, but many Hashi's peeps have high normal amounts.

This will effect how you feel as well. Also, don't know how you feel about this, but my basic philosophy is that as long as I'm feeling good and functioning, at a healthy weight who cares what my numbers are?

I wanted to ask what you guys do regarding your TSH and Levothroid. Every time I get tested, my prescription calls for .100 as the dosage. However, it's always too much hormone for me. I'm so wired, I can't sleep, and I feel horrible. About 9 years ago, my endocrinologist (in a different state) prescribed .088 as an experiment and it worked (and always has worked) perfectly. Today, I can't seem to find a doctor that will keep me on this dosage. Trust me, I've tried the "appropriate" dosage over 20 times since then with different doctors and always the same results. Now, it seems I go to a new doctor to get the medicine refilled, they tell me the next day I need the higher dosage despite what I tell them makes me feel good, and the cycle repeats. Does anyone else go through this? I am all for balancing my TSH but no one is willing to work with me!

It's possible that you have Hashi's. Ask your NP to test for the specific antibodies that will tell if you do have Hashi's. That way, it will explain your crazy TSH readings and you won't wonder anymore.

So about a year ago I was Dx and the doc gave me synthroid. I had TSH of 7.73 , After eight weeks I went back got retested TSH was down a point. I had no discernible change in symptoms, he upped my meds. three months later after considerable research I go back to get retested, TSH is 43 !!!! what the hay? At this time I ask if he will prescribe armour? So I switched to an equivalent dose of armor. Fast forward three months retest, TSH is down to 5.64 W00T much better upped my dose to 3 grains a day, says come back in three months. It's been three months I go back, got my results today and my TSH is up to 11.24 now. My question anyone else experienced this bouncing TSH? I see a Nurse practitioner who is awesome ( the difference between him and an MD is that he can't rx narcotics) He listens to my questions and let me know up front that he deals with hyperthyroid more than hypo. I really don't want to go to the one endo in our town that takes my ins he is a jerk . :( I know that bouncing back and forth between hyper and hypo is a symptom of hashi's . Could it be that ?

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